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Steps to Ease Your Dog's Separation Anxiety

What is Separation Anxiety in dogs?
 
Separation anxiety occurs when a dog that’s very attached to their owner gets extremely distressed when left alone. It's more than a little whining when you leave or a bit of mischief while you’re out, it's incredibly stressful and can induce chewing, urinating and even destruction of furniture and your home. It's an upsetting thing as owners to see your dog go through this distress. But there are plenty of things you can do to help.
 
 
 First of all try to establish what is triggering this behaviour
  1. Being left alone for the first time or when they are used to being with people
  2. Change of ownership
  3. Moving  from a shelter to a home
  4. Change in family routine or schedule
  5. Loss of a family member

 

Is it any of the above? Now it's time to focus on these.

 Signs of separation anxiety

 

  • Howl, bark, or whine to excess
  • Have indoor "accidents" even though they are housebroken
  • Chew things up, dig holes, scratch at windows and doors
  • Drool, pant, or salivate way more than usual
  • Pace, often in an obsessive pattern
  • Try to escape

 

How to treat it.. 

 

   First, talk to your vet to rule out any medical problems.

 

If the Separation Anxiety is mild...

  

  • Give your dog a special treat each time you leave (like a puzzle toy stuffed with peanut butter). Only give them this treat when you're gone, and take it away when you get home.
  • Make your comings and goings low-key without a lot of greeting. Ignore your pup for the first few minutes after you get home.
  • Leave some recently worn clothes out that smell like you.
  • Consider giving your pet over-the-counter natural calming supplements.

 

If it is more serious... 

 

A dog with severe anxiety won't be distracted by even the tastiest treats. You'll need to slowly get them used to your absence.

They may start to get nervous when they see signs you're about to leave, like putting on your shoes or picking up your keys. So do those things, but then don't leave. Put on your shoes and then sit down at the table. Pick up your keys and watch TV. Do this over and over many times a day.

When your dog starts to feel less anxious about that, you can slowly start to disappear. First just go on the other side of the door. Ask your dog to stay, then close an inside door between you. Reappear after a few seconds. Slowly increase the amount of time you're gone. Put on your shoes and pick up your keys. Ask your dog to stay while you go into another room.

As they get more used to the "stay game," increase the amount of time you're gone. Then use an outside door, but not the same one you go out every day. Make sure your dog is relaxed before you leave.

 

 

 We took some information from the amazing WedMD you can check the full article out here.

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